A while ago someone queried about heart rates while sailing.
I have done a couple of sessions with a monitor on in the last couple of days. Just cruising around comfy sailing my rate was at about 80% but sailing on my edge of control it was peaking at about 98%.

I really doubt you were at 98% HRMax. If I fell in the water with a HR of 98% I would barely be able to swim because I'd be gasping so hard for air. There is absolutely no way I get anywhere near 98% of my max HR while windsurfing. Either you are extremely unfit you are working out your HR zones incorrectly. Are you working out your HRMax based on the old method of 220-age? If so it's not at all accurate. The only true way of knowing HRMax is by visiting a physiologist or using a something like the Galloway method. HR zones should also be worked out on you heart rate reserve (ie. %HRR), which is far more accurate measurement. My HR while doing strenuous windsurfing is around 130 bpm, which is about 60%.

Just with a Suunto Hr monitor set on %. So there could some discrepancies with the technology. Next time I will have it set on BPM on the readout then calculate from there.
And being the holiday season being unfit could be a contributor as well.

Good on you to check this - I too have always wondered. And yeah, you will need a better method of measuring your base and max HR. But either way, its all a rough indication anyway.

Also, if you're in the water trying to waterstart a big sail in marginal condition (this I think is the most strenous), then your chest strap is under water and you will get nothing but errors.

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GrumpySmurf said..
Good on you to check this - I too have always wondered. And yeah, you will need a better method of measuring your base and max HR. But either way, its all a rough indication anyway.

Also, if you're in the water trying to waterstart a big sail in marginal condition (this I think is the most strenous), then your chest strap is under water and you will get nothing but errors.

The Suunto Ambit3 Bluetooths the info back to the watch as soon as it is clear of the water or any other obstacles.

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JustSaying said..
I really doubt you were at 98% HRMax. If I fell in the water with a HR of 98% I would barely be able to swim because I'd be gasping so hard for air. There is absolutely no way I get anywhere near 98% of my max HR while windsurfing. Either you are extremely unfit you are working out your HR zones incorrectly. Are you working out your HRMax based on the old method of 220-age? If so it's not at all accurate. The only true way of knowing HRMax is by visiting a physiologist or using a something like the Galloway method. HR zones should also be worked out on you heart rate reserve (ie. %HRR), which is far more accurate measurement. My HR while doing strenuous windsurfing is around 130 bpm, which is about 60%.

Is 130bpm the average figure for the session?
I had a bit more easy going sail yesterday and my average was 136bpm. I am a few months short of 48 in a reasonably fit 93kg body.

I walked off the squash court after 1.5hrs and counted 93BPM! Been over 170BPM doing comp back in the day but can't see flat water blasting that I do really stresses the system. Every body reacts differently to their chosen exercise.

Probably influenced by where u sail!!! Stop looking over your shoulder when u are water starting!!!

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Zachery said..
Probably influenced by where u sail!!! Stop looking over your shoulder when u are water starting!!!

I will test it out on the long weekend in that spot. Enjoy the snow

It I had your rigging assistants my HR would certainly be a little elevated!